Transport Minister describes issues faced by commuters at St James Ditch as ‘unacceptable’

Transport Minister Ian Borg has asked Transport Malta and Public Works for their latest plans of St James Ditch, Valletta, calling the situation faced by bus commuters each day “unacceptable.”

St James Ditch was open to bus commuters as of 2015 after more routes and buses were added to the fleet, requiring more space to cater for the demand.

The area around the newly restored Triton Fountain was pedestrianised, further requiring the space at St James’ Ditch for the public bus service.

With V18 looming, the area was meant to have been ready by the end of 2017. Asked about the progress in works, Borg said that he has asked Transport Malta and Public Works to provide the latest versions of their plans.

He said that the biggest priority is to protect people from the natural elements. Currently the bus terminus at St James’ Ditch has had temporary structures in the summertime from 2015 when the area began being used for the buses.

Borg continued to say that many people have expressed concern via e-mail about being exposed to the elements when waiting to use the public transport service.

He also added that the area needs further “vertical mobility opportunities”, explaining later in Parliament that this meant a lift from the ditch to Castille Square.

Trees that were on site before it was used for a bus terminus were successfully transplanted to another site in Santa Venera. The transplanting operation was carried out by ELC, which is responsible for the upkeep of public landscaping and has been doing these types of interventions with success for the past 13 years.